Finishing Bench Top

[William R. Monroe]

Hi Joe,

Agreed, those surfaces are very hard and slick.  I've one in use.  I have a 
removable back rail that I clamp into place for action work to prevent the 
slipping, etc.  I also have a benchtop with Baltic birch plywood that works 
well.  Next up is a hardwood bench, and with that, I'd use a wipe-on poly.

The main idea behind something like the masonite is that it is sacrificial. 
If you need to do something that might be detrimental to a nice maple 
workbench, throw a fitted piece of masonite on top and whack away.  If it 
gets too ugly, toss it and fit another, but save that maple.

Best,
William R. Monroe

BTW, I prefer Danish Oil for my tool handles.  ;-]



> William said: "If you really want protection, you might consider either:
>
> A. putting a layer of plastic laminate on top of the whole works, (contact
> cement, best to make it slightly large, then trim flush to the benchtop
> with
> a - surprise! flush-trim bit in the router).
>
> B. making a replaceable top. i.e. keep your benches as they are, but make
> a top piece out of 1/4" masonite, with rails that go around the edge of 
> the
> masonite and keep it fitted to the top of the original bench.
>
> Best,
>
>
> William,
> Either o1f which will be tough...HOWEVER<G> Way too darned
> slick/slippery/whatever. The workbench needs to be smooth and flat, but 
> not
> so much that you have to chase things around on it. Think about dropping a
> screw on Maple top and it will bounce, but not much. Drop it on Masonite 
> or
> such and you'll spend a goodly amount of time on your hands and knees
> searching for it. Not to mention "playing" an action, (during regulation),
> on something that hard. Also, if the action is not perfectly "bedded" to
> the masonite, it'll produce clicks that are NOT IN the action. (an 
> exercise
> in driving one bonkers, IMO!)
> A Laminated Maple top is the best surface, IMO. The next would be a dense
> plywood, like Baltic Birch, etc.
> BTW, I designed and made my work bench over 30 years ago. It is almost as
> beautiful as the day I finished it. Anyone who sets a coffee cup on it, 
> w/o
> a coaster, always hears my screams.<G> I've, only, casually cared for it.
> (i.e. whenever the mood strikes me.<G>) I've done hundreds of actions on
> it. (lost count years ago!) The Tong Oil Finish is still the best way to
> go, IMO. BTW, I use Tong Oil for the handles of the tools I make. It has
> such a satiny feel, it's almost orgasmic.<G> Not to mention, it makes wood
> look BEAUTIFUL!<G
> Best Regards,
>
>
> Joseph Garrett, R.P.T.
> Captain, Tool Police
> Squares R I